The Black Iris

(iris nigricans)

The black iris is endemic and emblematic to Jordan. It is about 30 cm high. The flower is of very dark purple, almost black, and consists of 3 pointing up petals and 3 pointing down sepal. The 3 parts pistil looks like 3 additive petals. The elongated leaves start from the basis and are shorter than the stem. We find the black iris during a short ...

...time, in March, on the highlands as in Madaba, Irak Al Amir, Kerak, Shobak… and in some lateral wadis. Do not mix this species with the Petra iris, very similar but shorter and less dark.